Chapter 24: Why Do I Keep Running Into This Fox?

 

“Oh, don’t you doubt it! I’ve heard the back mountain’s been haunted lately—it’s terrifying!”

Yun Jin stopped in front of a bamboo grove, earnestly holding onto He Yimo’s arm.

 

He Yimo nodded but couldn’t help keeping his gaze fixed on the depths of the bamboo forest ahead.

Of course, he knew the back mountain’s secret realm was fraught with danger.

But as a reincarnator, He Yimo had already unlocked every achievement on Wuji Sect’s map in his past life. He could recite every treasure and trap in the back mountain’s secret realm by heart!

For ordinary disciples, the back mountain was an adventure, but for He Yimo, it felt like a familiar homecoming.

What’s so scary about ghosts?

How many health bars do wild ghosts have? Could they be harder to defeat than Gu Wanglan with his ten-bar dual-phase berserk mode?

“Alright, it’s getting late.”

“Why don’t we head back for now? Senior Sister Yun Jin, please show me around the rest of Wuji Sect tomorrow.”

He Yimo planned his venture into the back mountain and spoke obediently.

Yun Jin found the young man humble and couldn’t help but smile sweetly: “I’m the one who needs to learn… Clearly, you’re more familiar with Wuji Sect than I am, Junior Brother Yimo.”

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As the sky darkened.

Yun Jin led He Yimo back to Wuji Sect’s main hall.

 

Naturally, He Yimo wanted to part ways early and explore the back mountain alone for treasures. But Yun Jin insisted that since it wasn’t dark yet, as thanks for the Soul Returning Pill, she had to treat He Yimo to a meal at the cafeteria.

The girl’s sincerity and kindness made it hard for He Yimo to refuse.

So he found a spot in a corner of the cafeteria, waiting for Yun Jin to order food at the counter.

In his past life playing the game, He Yimo hadn’t paid much attention to Wuji Sect’s cafeteria. Experiencing it firsthand now, this row of counters for ordering food felt nostalgically like a Chinese school cafeteria.

With nothing else to do, he watched Yun Jin’s back as she queued up.

But soon enough, a group of noisy young people entered He Yimo’s line of sight.

These night-returning disciples wore similar new disciple robes as He Yimo—clearly participants from that morning’s entrance exam.

He Yimo usually didn’t pay much attention to new disciples, but a black-clad sword cultivator stood out too much in the crowd.

 

The protagonist’s presence made He Yimo take another look.

He guessed that since Yun Jin had been whisked away by him earlier today, the protagonist—who should have been following the beginner guide through his storyline—was now stuck training and eating with other new disciples instead.

 

“Isn’t that Senior Sister Yun Jin?”

“Yeah, it really is!”

With someone pointing her out, all eyes turned towards the green-haired girl’s back.

 

After some discussion, they seemed to decide on sending their black-clad leader over to strike up a conversation.

Chen Jianxin hesitated briefly before sheathing his sword and approaching with an enthusiastic smile:

“—Are you Senior Sister Yun Jin?”

The girl turned around, blinking in slight confusion.

 

She nodded affirmatively, prompting Chen Jianxin to brighten up: “Senior Brother Gu mentioned you—he said you’re a friend to all newcomers at Wuji Sect. Almost every new disciple has benefited from your help!”

“I see. Senior Brother Gu is too kind; I just guide newcomers to earn some merit points…”

 

Yun Jin smiled shyly while politely greeting Chen Jianxin and the other new disciples behind him.

She was well-liked at Wuji Sect but often found herself overwhelmed by requests from seniors and even elders who treated her as a free beginner guide—sending their new disciples her way for guidance.

 

Earning merit points was nice, but Yun Jin often struggled to keep up. Besides, there wasn’t an official beginner guide position at Wuji Sect; she did it part-time.

In fact, many seniors like Yun Jin worked part-time as guides for merit points. But for some reason, only Yun Jin seemed especially popular among newcomers—every batch of new disciples would greet her in passing.

“Senior Sister Yun Jin, are you eating alone? We’re all newbies who just passed today’s entrance exam and still have many questions. Would you mind joining us?”

“Of course, dinner’s on me.”

Chen Jianxin offered politely while the other new disciples nodded eagerly.

 

Surrounded by them all, Yun Jin felt a bit overwhelmed. She glanced towards the cafeteria corner but couldn’t spot where He Yimo had gone.

“Senior Sister Yun Jin, it’s too hot—let me carry that.”

At some point, He Yimo’s voice came from behind her.

The girl turned back to see him lifting the steaming pot of spicy hotpot she’d just ordered.

Their exchange of words and glances piqued Chen Jianxin and the other new disciples’ curiosity.

 

“Alright, I’ll be over soon.”

With that assurance to He Yimo, Yun Jin turned back to explain apologetically: “Sorry, I already promised to have dinner with Mr. He tonight. Maybe another time…”

Her tone was slightly awkward; she wasn’t good at refusing people.

 

But since she’d been the one who insisted on treating He Yimo tonight—no matter what—she couldn’t stand him up now. She understood basic social etiquette well enough.

“Mr. He…”

Chen Jianxin murmured thoughtfully as he glanced towards the white-clad young man who’d just spoken.

 

He didn’t press further; instead nodding his thanks before returning to join his fellow new disciples at their table.

 

“Brother Chen! No wonder you couldn’t find Senior Sister Yun Jin at the main hall earlier! Turns out she was reserved by that Grand Tutor’s young master!”

One of the new disciples whispered quietly beside him.

 

Sitting in the middle of them all—Chen Jianxin’s simple face showed an instinctive distaste upon hearing “Grand Tutor.”

He couldn’t help glancing back again before raising an eyebrow:

 

“So that’s who you meant by Seventh Young Master of Grand Tutor.”

 

“Yeah! That young master’s family wields immense power in Great Xia Dynasty—they didn’t even need him taking entrance exams; Sword Master Senior Sister personally came down mountain fetching him!”

 

“Tch… selfish aristocratic families…”

Chen Jianxin clicked his tongue lightly—his gaze harboring some resentment.

 

Observing his expression—the others sensed tension brewing in atmosphere…

 

One follower whispered cautiously into Chen Jianxin’s ear:

“Brother Chen—you may be destined child—but we’re commoners ourselves; best not provoke noble young masters like him… Grand Tutor isn’t someone we can afford offending!”

 

“Eat your food! Am I really that petty?”

 

Growing increasingly irritated by idle chatter—Chen Jianxin slammed chopsticks down abruptly—scanning everyone with furrowed brows…

No one dared speak further—they obediently resumed eating…

 

After all—earlier at Sword Arena—they’d all been thoroughly defeated by Chen Jianxin alone…

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“Mr. He—thank you for helping me out earlier.”

 

Yun Jin brought over a stool and sat down—letting out a long sigh of relief as she rested her weary face on her hands…

Across from her—He Yimo wasted no time digging into his meal with gusto…

 

“Just call me Junior Brother.”

He reminded gently before continuing conversation: “Senior Sister Yun Jin didn’t want talk with them?”

 

“It depends on my energy levels! After touring back mountain with Junior Brother Yimo today—I’m already exhausted.”

She sighed wearily resting chin on hand while complaining half-heartedly: “Besides—they’re all teenage boys; if we sat down together—the conversation would quickly veer off topic… Spare me!”

 

By now—Yun Jin wasn’t as formal as earlier in day; her flushed face from fatigue made her seem more genuine and approachable…

She was quite down-to-earth—kind-hearted yet not without grievances…

 

Clearly—Yun Jin had experienced similar inconveniences before…

 

“What about me?”

He Yimo looked up curiously at her…

 

After a brief pause—she pursed lips into smile: “Junior Brother Yimo really knows how joke around—you know more about Wuji Sect than I do! Today was actually me learning from you—not worrying about being inadequate senior!”

 

“Is that so? I don’t mind having you as my senior sister.”

He nodded while continuing eating heartily—but still managed chatting away easing Yun Jin’s fatigue…

 

Seeing him enjoy meal so much lifted her spirits somewhat…

“By way—you being Grand Tutor’s young master—haven’t you ever eaten spicy hotpot before?”

 

“What makes you think nobles live above such things?”

Raising eyebrow incredulously—he never imagined being asked such question someday…

 

But judging by surprise etched across girl’s face—it seemed she genuinely believed so…

“I’m not like typical Grand Tutor young masters—you can even consider me ordinary…”

“Why?”

“Because real Grand Tutor young masters wouldn’t be sent here—they’d secure immortal positions within Great Xia Dynasty enjoying imperial salaries—isn’t that appealing?”

He shrugged amusedly chuckling at himself…

Hearing this explanation made admiration in Yun Jin’s eyes give way slightly to suppressed laughter…

 

As if barriers between them dissolved further in that moment…

 

“True enough… Real noble sons wouldn’t share spicy hotpot with bumpkins like me!”

“What’s wrong with spicy hotpot? I love eating Senior Sister Yun Jin’s soft rice!”

Feigning arrogance playfully huffing indignantly while devouring food voraciously…

 

His cheerful humor proved infectious; watching him eat became enjoyable experience itself: “If you like it so much—you should come over sometime—I’ll cook better than cafeteria!”

“Really? Aren’t you afraid inviting wolf into house?”

“Not afraid!”

Riding momentum—she naturally lifted chin playfully humming lightly: “Actually before coming main hall earlier—Senior Sister Mo warned me if you tried anything excessive—I should report back!”

“Oh come on—you better not report me!”

“I won’t~”

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After finishing dinner—He Yimo personally escorted Yun Jin back to female cultivators’ dormitory…

 

Though she protested initially—he insisted walking her home safely through night streets…

 

Not because he feared more harassment from new disciples—but because he needed excuse part ways before heading towards Wuji Sect’s back mountain secret realm himself…

With some time left until midnight—he had no intention returning Dye Ink Peak yet; under cover darkness lay perfect opportunity treasure hunting!

“Finally sent off Senior Sister Yun Jin.”

 

“Since I’m already here at Wuji Sect—I’d be remiss not digging three feet deep into Supreme Elder’s immortal tomb after achieving full completion last life!”

With renewed confidence smirking slightly at thought…

 

But just as he ventured deeper into bamboo forest rolling up sleeves readying himself digging fervently—a familiar red silhouette appeared along nearby forest path—

 

【Damn it! That Jiang woman!】

Cursing inwardly instinctively seeking cover cold sweat breaking out across forehead…

 

【What rotten luck running into her even in this godforsaken place?】